What really needs to be done at 60k?

[Guest hoamskoold]

I just purchased a '98 Legacy Outback with 59,000 miles, so I've naturally started thinking about what maintenance should be done at this point. I don't think it was terribly well maintained by the previous owner, but there are no major problems. All I've done so far is change the oil and the belts. My understanding is that the timing belt really doesn't need to be changed until around 100k or even later. My coolant looks pretty good, so a flush probably isn't needed. Should the plugs be replaced? Anything else? Most of the services included in a standard 60k service have either been done already or seem kind of unnecessary, so I'm trying to figure out what SHOULD be done. I'm also on a budget, so that is a factor, although I don't want to cut corners.

 

A couple more specific questions:

 

1. This is really stupid, but I can't figure out how to remove the windshield wiper blades. There's a hook on the end of the wiper arm itself and it just doesn't seem to fit through the slot in the wiper blade itself so I can slide it off.

 

2. Where is the interior air filter located and is it easy to replace?

 

3. Another stupid one: I need to adjust the aim of the headlights before it will pass inspection, but it's not immediately obvious to me how to do that.

 

4. I've been told the tires on this model need to have equal tread wear or it could damage the transmission. What if a tire blows and you need to use the spare, which has less wear than the other tires? Does the spare need to be rotated along with the other tires?

 

As you can tell, I'm not overly mechanically-inclined, so thanks for the pointers.

[felipe01forester]

I'm coming up on my 75K maintenance, and I'm interested in what that entails, too.

[Subie Gal]

by parts and do most of the work yourself!

 

things you can easily do are:

• Rotate tires
  
• Change air and fuel filters
  
• Check brake linings
  
• Adjust parking brake
  
• Check C.V. joints
  
• Inspect exhaust system
  
• Check coolant level
  
• Check engine component drive belts and adjust as neccessary
  
• Inspect cooling system hoses
  
• Lubricate lock cylinders
  
• Check exterior light bulbs for proper function
  
• Check windshield washer and wiper operations
  
• Change gear oil
  
• Change brake fluid
  
• Tune engine
  
• Change spark plugs
  
• Clean throttle assembly and linkage
  
• Test/service battery
  

DRIVE AND TIMING BELTS

2.2L 60,000 miles

2.5L 105,000 miles.

Drive belts, accessory belts at 60k and 120k miles

 

things to let the dealership do:

 

service fuel injectors (beginning at 45,000 miles)

Test emissions system

Flush and service cooling system

Automatic transmission service - drain and fill

Drain and fill gear oils

Adjust clutch and hillholder (if applicable)

Flush and service cooling system

Perform induction & intake system service

Engine compression check (2.5 L and SVX if applicable)

Set engine timing

Check engine computer for fault codes

 

 

 

you can save $100's by doing the bulk of the simple stuff yourself.

Jamie

[ron917]

You can save $100's more by doing all of the work yourself. If you don't DIY, a good independent mechanic will be cheaper than the dealer. There is no reason to have the dealer do any of it., even if your car is still under warranty.

 

If you do have the service done at a shop, read your owner's manual and have them do only the services specified for the 60K service. Shops like to pad the list of services. Examples: compression check at 60K (totally unnecessary, and won't find the comman 2.5L headgasket problem), set timing (can't be done, it's computer controlled), check for fault codes (your Check Engine light would be on).

 

Your owner's manual will show the location of your interior air filter, if equipped. It may also show how to adjust the headlights.